조선후기 대일공무역과 公木

Abstract

Gongmok was used as a main means of payment in the official trade with Japan of the later Joseon Dynasty. It was prepared by the peasant’s taxes, and drained away to Japan through the official trade. The system of the later Joseon Dynasty’s official trade with Japan was organized in the early 17th century. And it was maintained until the mid 19th century. It was also from the early 17th century that Gongmok was used as the main means of payment in the official trade with Japan. Trade frictions were frequently caused in the payment process of Gongmok in the early years of the 17th century, because of the quality problems and payment's delay of Gongmok. The earlier Gongmok was traded by the quality standards of 8Seung(升) 40Cheok(尺). But it became difficult to supply the Gongmok fit for the standards. And also the payment time of Gongmok was delayed because the productivity of cotton was decreased by natural conditions. So the quality standards were lowered down to 5Seung 35Cheok, in substitute for trading 16,000Seok(石) of Gongjakmi(公作米) in the mid 17th century. The Gongjakmi trade was to solve the difficulty with Gongmok supplies and the food shortages in Tsushima(對馬島). Finances for the official trade with Japan being divided into two by the Gongjakmi trade, Joseon Dynasty expanded and reorganized Hanap-eup(下納邑). Gongmok was raised through each Eup’s Jeonse(田稅), around 13 Eups of Wonjeong-eup(元定邑). When Gongmok lacked in quantity, it was additionally collected in some mountainous regions of Gyeongsangbuk-do. In the mid and late 18th century, Gongmok was converted into Daejeon(代錢) with taxes paid in cash. Each Eup paid taxes to its provincial government office, converting Gongmok to 2Nyang(兩) 3Jeon(錢). 2Nyang was used for official interpreters and trade people to purchase ginseng, which was traded with Tsushima. And 3Jeon was used for the finances of Dongnaebu(東萊府) and the renovation works to Waegwan(倭館). But Daejeon of Gongmok was discontinued by the price increase of ginseng in 1806. Since then the quantity of Gongmok fluctuated because of the implementation of ‘Yeokjibingnye(易地聘禮)’. Given the payment situation of Gongmok until the early 1870s, it seems that the official trade with Japan was continued. Finances for the official trade with Japan were based on the agricultural economy of Joseon Dynasty. And the resources were changed into cotton, rice, and copper coin mainly. Because rice and cotton had both commercial and monetary characteristic, they were likely used in the official trade. In the last analysis, the official trade with Japan had organic relations with Joseon’s economy in that the means of money of Joseon were being employed in it.